Arizona Cardinals' Kevin Kolb likes the Larry Fitzgerald deal

FLAGSTAFF - The Cardinals' ability to lock up star receiver Larry Fitzgerald to an eight-year contract made quarterback Kevin Kolb appreciate being in Arizona that much more.

And like Fitzgerald, he hopes to retire as a Cardinals player someday as well.

"Both of us are locked up for a long time so hopefully we can build this thing for the future," Kolb said as the Cardinals returned to training camp on Monday.

"I told my wife this - I don't want to be anywhere else. I want to retire here. This is the place I want to be for a long time, so I want to make sure I can do all I can to make those hopes and dreams come true and make our own hopes and dreams come true."

Kolb likely will play into the third quarter when the Cardinals play their preseason home opener Saturday against the San Diego Chargers. He said he feels light years ahead of where he was a week or two ago when it comes to learning the offense.

He has most of it down, he said, and looked impressive Friday against the Packers in leading two long drives, completing 6 of 11 pass attempts for 80 yards. Kolb still hasn't had a touchdown drive, but he feels it is coming.

"It seems like we've done everything to get down there. We just haven't plugged it in yet," he said. "But (Friday) was leaps and bounds better than the time before - in the huddle, calling the play, working the cadence the way we did."

Kolb said his chemistry with Fitzgerald is getting better with every practice situation and preseason game. He also knows it will be up to them as two critical members of the offense to be leaders together.

"We see the picture the same way," Kolb said. "We both work hard. We both know what it takes to win. We know we need every single person in the locker room to contribute."

As for playing his first home game at University of Phoenix Stadium, Kolb said "it'll be awesome. I'm really looking forward to it."

"I'm excited about getting that under my belt and seeing what the crowd's about. I've only been in the stadium one time, so this week is going to be exciting for me and fresh and new."

More playing time

Coach Ken Whisenhunt, as expected, said most of his starters will get extended playing time Saturday against the Chargers. Many of them will likely play into the third quarter.

"It depends on where we are health-wise, but I think we're OK there," he said.

Whisenhunt added that veterans such as linebackers Joey Porter and Clark Haggans may not need to play as much as others, given what they already know about those two particular players.

"It may not be as critical a situation as it would to see O'Brien Schofield or some of those guys, where we're having a chance to really evaluate them," he said.

Schofield could push for a starting job early this season if he can continue to make progress. It's more mental than physical for him now, according to Whisenhunt.

"Getting lined up and being able to turn it loose, that's the biggest thing for young players," Whisenhunt said. "We saw a little taste of that the other night, but is that something he can replicate? Is that something he can do against the first team? It all starts with his ability to understand the defense and being able to line up right."

Roster moves

The team brought back two players it previously had on the roster Monday and also added a third.

Re-signed were defensive end Kenny Iwebema and running back William Powell. Cornerback Thad Turner, meanwhile, was also signed as a free agent.

To make room on the roster, the Cardinals released cornerback Desia Dunn and punter Derek Epperson.

Iwebema was a fourth-round pick by the club in 2008 and has played 31 games for Arizona including seven last season before he injured his knee was placed on injured reserve.

Powell joined the team on July 27 as a non-drafted free agent out of Kansas State but as released on Aug. 2. Turner was released by the Patriots on Aug. 7 after spending last season on New England's practice squad. He was previously signed and released by the Colts.

Cardinals profile

Jim Dray

Position: Tight end.

Height, weight: 6-5, 255.

College: Stanford.

Age: 24.

Hometown: Paramus, N.J.

Background: A high school All-American out of Bergen Catholic, Dray suffered multiple torn knee ligaments his sophomore year at Stanford but returned and made himself an NFL prospect in 2009. As a rookie last season, Dray appeared in all 16 games, starting three, and finished with three receptions for 47 yards.

How he got here: Was the Cardinals' seventh-round pick in 2010 draft.

2011 projected role: With the addition of veterans Todd Heap and Jeff King, Dray is in a battle to make the roster. The Cardinals might keep only three tight ends, and Dray is competing with Stephen Spach and third-round draft pick Rob Housler for that spot. If the Cardinals go with four, Dray stands a better chance to make the team.

Camping out

Camp confidential: The team returned to Flagstaff on Monday and spent a good portion of the day going over game tape from Friday's preseason loss in Green Bay. The next few days will be important, as the Cardinals install more in-season packages, such as blitz formations and different looks they plan to use offensively. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said those schemes probably won't be used Saturday against the visiting San Diego Chargers. "But the more you can build a base up, then come back to it at some point in the season, we'll have had reps at and a working knowledge of what we're trying to get done," he said. Another area the team is emphasizing is reducing penalties, especially ones resulting from mental mistakes.

Quotable: "The team's been very accepting. Part of it is they look at that position for leadership. But the locker-room chemistry and camaraderie has been great right off the bat. Everybody gets along great, and there are not a lot of big egos on this team. Most of the guys are just into winning and doing whatever form or fashion it takes." - Quarterback Kevin Kolb, on how the team has responded to his arrival.

Injury report: S Adrian Wilson (biceps/elbow) and CB Mike Adams (knee) are not practicing with the team. QB John Skelton (ankle) did not practice. QB Max Hall left practice because of a shoulder injury. The severity of the injury was unclear.

Coming up: The team will have one practice Tuesday from 3:05-4:55 p.m. on the field east of the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. If it rains, they will go inside. Indoor practices are closed to fans because the dome is being renovated.